Separable electrical connection



T. C, SAwERs ET A1.A

SEPARABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Filed Aug. 5, 1926 7' ./z

l INVENTORS T.' C', Hamers .JBlaL'P WITNESSES ATTORNEYS Patented H5112, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT ePrice.

THOMAS c. sawEns am? Emy J. Emmer EnooxLxN', NEW Yonx.

SEPARABLE ELECTRICAL coNN'EcTIoN.

Appimuon mea Auguste, 1926. serial No. 127,405.

The separable electrical connection of the present invention may have a wide range of utility ,for effecting the convenient connection of bulbs, fuses, electrical attachment plugs, or various other types of electrical apparatus to a source of current.

The invention finds one of its preferred embodiments in a lamp bulb and associated socket member, the prime object of the inxo vention being to so construct the bulb and socket that the bulb may be inserted into the socket by a direct thrust as opposed to a turning movement, and when inserted will be firmly gripped, and firmly retained in electrical contact with the as it is withdrawn by a direct outward pull.

An object of the invention is to provide a detachable electrical connector of this character which will/be of extremely simple, practical construct-ion, and which will greatly eX- pe-dite the removal and replacement of lamp bulbs, particularly in electric signs and similar apparatus, it being understood however, that the invention may be applied to any form of electrical apparatus in which a socket member and a stud or plug member are interfitted to couple the apparatus to a source of current.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a device ofthe character above noted which may be manufactured withcompa-rative economy, and which when used as an adapter may readily transform a conventional type of screw threaded socket into a socket embodying the invention. y

With the above noted and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth and pointed out in the claims. The invention may be more fully understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein v Fig. 1 is'a View in longitudinal section through a soeketembodying the present invention, a lamp bulb being shown in eleva# tion.

Fig. 2 is a similar view taken at right angles to Fig. 1, and with the body of the bulb broken away. y

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the metal hllbl which engages the side electrode of the' Fig. 4 is atop plan view of the snap fassocket until such time i tener element which engages the bottom electrode or central electrode of the bulb.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of this snap fastener element.

Fig. 6 is a view showing the invention as applied to an adapter.

For purposes of illustration we have elected to show the invention as applied to a lamp bulb and socket, it being understood that any other type of electrical attachment bulb or any other connecting means for electrical apparatus might be substituted for the lamp bulb and fitted into the socket with which the bulb coacts.

The connection consists essentially of a socket member designated generally ,by the reference character 10, and a stud member 11, in the present instance shown as part of a light ybulb 12. The4 socket member 10 includes a base 13 of insulating material to which a metal sleeve 141 is secured. This sleeve is shown in perspective in F ig. 3, wherein it. will be noted that it is provided with laterally disposed arm 15 adapted to be secured to the base 10 by 'a screw 16 passed through a tapered opening 17 in the arm.v Mounted in a threaded opening 18 in the end of the arm is a binding post 19 for the attachment of one electrical conductor. The sleeve is of general cylindrical shape including a flaring mouth 20 for guiding the insertion of a lamp bulb shell into position, and is provided at diametrically'opposite po-ints with cutouts 21 in which are mounted spring tongues 22 integral with the shell 14. These tongues as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3 are formed withinwardly presented offset portions 23 adapted to snap into an annular groove 24 in the shell 25 of the lamp bulb. lf desired, the spring tongues 22 may be backed bv a split spring wire 26 which will insure their yielding engagement with the shell.

The electrical connection of the side electrode of the bulb is through the shell. fingers 22, arm 15, and binding post 19. The shell 100 25 may be made of metal or may be moulded of insulating material and simply carry a metal band in the groove 24 for coaction withthe fingers 22. The former construction is preferable, inasmuch as it will involve no radical departure from the standard processes of manufacturing bulbs.

The bottom or eentralcontact of the lamp bulb is in the nature of a rounded stud element 30 insulated from the shell 25 by suit- 110 able insulating material indicated at 31. This stud clement coacts with the female or socket portion of a snap fastener element, the construction of which may be most clearly seen in Figs. 4 and 5. y

This element includes a soeketed button portion 32 mounted on the end of an arm 33, the button being preferably moulded into the insulating base 13. Arm 33 may be secured in position by a screw 34 and may carry binding post 35 forsthe other electrical conductor or lead wire. The socketed member 32 is integrally connected to a disc-like plate 36 by a air of bridging ieces' 37. Tongues 38 rolle inwardl. from t e plate 36secure a spring wire mem er 39 thereto, the ends 40 of thls wire member beine turned inwardly and retained by their own inherent resilienc against the bridging pieces 37. Disc 36 1s provided with an opening 41 therein which exposes the wire ends 40, and as the stud electrode 30 is forced home, it spreads the wire ends apart and the wire ends then snap about the neck of the stud and establish a firm electrical connection and interlock.

It will be apparent that the particular ar- 'stud 30 snaps between the wires 40, so that a rm interlock between the bulb and its socket is had, and there is no dan erof the bulb accidentally working out of t e socket, also a good electrical connection is assured. The particular shape of the base member 13 or of a l cup-like complementary member 45 which encircles and conceals the shell 14 is subject to a wide variety of changes.

In Fig. 6 we have shown an adapter adapted to be used in converting a conventional type of electrical socket into a socket embodying the present invention. Thls adapter 1ncludes a threaded outer metallic shell connected to an insulating base 51.- Shell 50 is adapted to be screwed into an ordinary electric socket, and housed within this shell is a sleeve 52 formed of a series of spring lingers 53 having inwardly struck portions 54 adapted to eoact with the groove 24 in the lamp vbulb shell. A snap fastenersocket element 55 moulded in the base 51 is adapted to coact selves to the details set forth, but shall consider ourselves at liberty to make such changes` and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a separable electrical connection, a socket member and a stud member adapted to be entered into the socket by a direct thrust, and spring contact means in the socket snapping into locking engagement with the stud as the stud is forced home, said spring contact means including a snap fastener socket engaged with a snap fastener head carried by the stud member, said stud including also means at its sides engaged with separate spring contact members, whereby the stud is doubl locked in the socket. y 2. 15h a separable electrical connection, a socket member and a stud member adapted to be entered into the socket by a direct` thrust, and spring 'contact means in the socket snapping into locking engagement with the stud as the stud is forced home, said stud member including a metal shell having an annular groove therein and a rounded centrall disosed'head insulated from the shell, sai head eing engaged by a snap fastener element in the bottom of the socket and said shell being engaged by spring fingers snapping into the groove. y `v THOMAS C. SAWERS. HARRY J. BLAIR. 

